STARS of Coronation Street have paid tribute to Lynne `Ivy Tilsley' Perrie, who has died, aged 75, following a stroke.

Her friend Liz Dawn, who played Vera Duckworth alongside Lynne's character of sharp-tongued busybody Ivy, spoke for the cast when she said: "Lynne was always full of life and great fun to work with.

"I'm very saddened to hear of the news. Me and Lynne go way back. Even before Coronation Street we worked together on the club circuit."

Former co-star Johnny Briggs, who played Mike Baldwin, said: "Whenever I worked with Lynne she was 100 per cent professional.

"She was well loved and will be sorely missed, especially by my daughter Stephanie, because she was her godmother.

'Generous'

"She was one of the most generous people I have ever met. She would give a tramp é10 rather than walk past him in the street."

Bill Roache, who plays Ken Barlow, said: "You always knew when Lynne was around. You could hear the voice, but you could also hear the laughter."

Lynne's brother, actor and comedian Duggie Brown, said she died peacefully with her husband Derek and son Stephen at her bedside. She had suffered ill health for several years and had to be taken to hospital in 2001 because of heart problems. She had been in the Street cast from 1979 until 1994.

A Granada TV spokeswoman said: "Lynne played a great character in Ivy Tilsley, one of the wonderful characters who will be remembered for years to come. Our sympathy goes to her family at this sad time."